Torque convertor

[Jacksdad2019]

I have a mercedes C350 Automatic 2013
It started juddering between first and second gears. The garage said the GB has gone and needed replacing. Which they did. Still didn't fix the juddering. Now they saying the torque convertor has failed. And that failure could have been what damaged the GB originally This has now being going on for 2 months :-(

Am I being sold down the river or is there any truth in this

 

[AMGeed]

Oh dear

Welcome to the forum

Firstly, is this garage a Mercedes specialist garage? I fear not.
Gearboxes rarely need replacing and are mostly rebuilt including the torque convertor.

You really need to get the car to a Mercedes specialist who knows these cars. It sounds like that garage could fit a new torque convertor and it still wouldn't fix the fault, so they'll try the next fix.

If you can get it to an MB specialist they have the diagnostic equipment (STAR) which can read the gearbox ECU and help with a proper diagnosis. Otherwise you are just throwing money at it without knowing what the real fault is.

 

[Jacksdad2019]

Its at a MB specialist ……
Not a dealer but they only fix MB's

And thanks for letting me in

 

[AMGeed]

Did they read the gearbox fault codes before fitting an exchange? gearbox?
Something doesn't seem right with this.

 

[Jacksdad2019]

The wife now speaks up and says it was just the clutch...She thinks :/

 

[AMGeed]

Is it a manual?
Or is your missus referring to the clutch packs inside the gearbox?

 

[Jacksdad2019]

Is it a manual?
Or is your missus referring to the clutch packs inside the gearbox?

Automatic …..So

 

[Jacksdad2019]

It was 1200 ish for the first fix that's didn't fix it :-(

 

[AMGeed]

Not sure what to say other than your original gearbox could probably have been reconditioned for less than that.
Hopefully someone else has some suggestions.

 

[Jacksdad2019]

Not sure what to say other than your original gearbox could probably have been reconditioned for less than that.
Hopefully someone else has some suggestions.

Well they got it till next wednesday so far....Have you any idea how much a TC is??

Hope they just get it fixed more than anything

 

[AMGeed]

Get them to send your tc to this place and have it reconditioned.
I'd also want a guarantee from the garage this will fix it.

Torque converter remanfacture

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Last Torque Convertor recon. I got done at Mackies on a W211 with a 722.6 Auto box was £240.

Surely anyone doing a Gear Box change would do this too since they have the box out and have to fit new fluid etc. at the same time?

 

[grober]

Usually what goes on these modern electronic autoboxes is a problem with the conductor plate which acts as an interface between the control electronics and the hydraulic valve body which activates all the clutches and brake bands responsible for controlling gear changes. Sometimes its an electrical failure sometimes its a valve body failure- its gets clagged up with particulates from wear or simply failure to change the gearbox fluid enough. Rarely is it the clutches or brake bands themselves unless the gearbox has done mega miles. What exactly was entailed in the first repair?

 

[m80]

Usually what goes on these modern electronic autoboxes is a problem with the conductor plate which acts as an interface between the control electronics and the hydraulic valve body which activates all the clutches and brake bands responsible for controlling gear changes. Sometimes its an electrical failure sometimes its a valve body failure- its gets clagged up with particulates from wear or simply failure to change the gearbox fluid enough. Rarely is it the clutches or brake bands themselves unless the gearbox has done mega miles. What exactly was entailed in the first repair?

What sort of mileage do you consider might cause clutch / brake band problems?
Or is usage style a factor also?

 

[grober]

What sort of mileage do you consider might cause clutch / brake band problems?
Or is usage style a factor also?

Its not so much when they wear out more an indicator of where to look first for problems . As you say it will be highly dependent on usage and maintenance, but used conservatively and with good maintenance the clutch packs/brake bands could be good for 200,000 miles. Poorly maintained/abused -a lot less. I guess I am saying that under 100,000 miles problem is more likely to be functional rather than down to wear alone altho the two are linked. An autotransmission specialist is really the only person to answer this one?

 

[RedGull]

This kind of judder is massive on the D3 forum , yep TC is the problem, I had it on mine,used Dr trannys ebay £7 a tube works instantly!! But does not fix or last!! 6 months you will be doing again, perfect for a short term fix until you save up!!

 

[m80]

This kind of judder is massive on the D3 forum , yep TC is the problem, I had it on mine,used Dr trannys ebay £7 a tube works instantly!! But does not fix or last!! 6 months you will be doing again, perfect for a short term fix until you save up!!

I wouldn't be over sure of juddering being the TC.

My previous Vito had 'the' judder. 1800 revs or so as the rev counter showed a slip I could feel some judder.
It wasn't always, it was consistant.

Anyway an MB specialist replaced all mounts,
sent the prop off for recon, ATF service,
No different.

I bought a new prop to eliminate, checked for bearing, bushes, nothing apparent.
I instructed the Indie to have the TC reconned, total cost £650.
No difference.

I lost heart and upgraded to the Viano.
I now wish I had instructed for a recon of the box 'cos I can't see there is anything else that could have caused the issue.
Different, but the Viano sits on the drive and I've lost heart with that. I wish a push bike could carry the things I need to lug around.

 

[RedGull]

Easy to find out ! Put a £7 tube of trannys in,if it’s that it will stop straight away, nothing to lose there

 

[BlackC55]

Judder is usually the TC. The valve in the valve body that controls it wears too. Its always a good idea to re-furb the valve body and TC at the same time.